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Office - waste management

Waste reduction in office buildings

Outlines the steps you can take to make your office more sustainable. Includes posters for your print room.

Business Recycling Directory

Business Recycling lists national and local re-use and recycling options for around 90 different materials.

National Packaging Covenant

The National Packaging Covenant is a voluntary initiative by government and industry, to reduce the environmental effects of packaging on the environment.

Sustainability Victoria

Umbrella site for Victorian initiatives in Waste reduction and purchasing (incorporates EcoRecycle)

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities - Plastics

Commonwealth policies and initiatives for plastic waste and recycling

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities - Electrical and electronic product stewardship strategy

Commonwealth policies and initiatives for electrical products

Newspaper and magazine recycling - Publishers National Environment Bureau Ltd

National environmental initiatives by the publishers of newspapers and magazines

Cansmart - Steel Can Recycling Council

Recycling initiatives by the manufacturers, retailers, consumers and recyclers of steel cans

European waste and recycling

European government policies and initiatives on waste and recycling

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Office - purchasing recycled content products

NSW Government Procurement Policy

The Procurement Policy is an overarching framework for all government procurement and applies to all government departments, statutory authorities, trusts and other government entities.

NSW Buy

Information on government purchasing contracts for NSW departments, statutory authorities, trusts and other government entities.

Purchasing Office Products and Recycled Content Papers

Guides to sustainable purchasing of office paper and equipment. (Including the Know Your Paper Guide)

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)

EPP is a US EPA nation-wide program that encourages and assists government agencies in the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services.

US Office of the Federal Environmental Executive

Umbrella site for US federal government initiatives on waste prevention, recycling, green purchasing and electronics stewardship

Waste Reduction Ideas for Offices

A list of waste reduction ideas intended to help you think of new ways to prevent waste and save money. Includes fact sheets California State Government, USA

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General guidance on sustainable procurement

NSW Procurement

Online procurement for NSW Government agencies and state owned corporations, includes information on environmental criteria. Using Greenbuy (Sustainable Catalogues) a user can search for sustainable products

NSW buy

A leader in today's procurement market, assisting buyers and suppliers to do business with government. nswbuy is operated by NSW Procurement

Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Includes a range of fact sheets, purchasing tools and checklists covering commonly purchase items. Also contains links to other Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts initiatives on eco-efficiency and the greening of government.

UK Improvement and Development Agency

Detailed summary of sustainable procurement issues with a focus on Sustainable procurement for Local Government. Particularly useful is the Sustainable procurement strategy for local government

UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Provides general information about UK Government sustainable procurement programs and links to a variety of sustainable procurement resources.

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Developing a sustainable procurement policy

Australian Procurement and Construction Council

As a leader in government procurement the APCC drives procurement solutions which deliver efficiency gains, savings and added value for government, industry and the community. Includes the Australian and New Zealand Government Framework for Sustainable Procurement

Queensland State Procurement Policy

The State Procurement Policy delivers benefits for Government, suppliers and the community through the commitment to three equally ranked objectives: advancing Government Priorities, seeking value for money and purchasing with probity and accountability.

Sustainability Victoria

Victorian Government agency website containing information about sustainable procurement.

CHOICE

Independent product comparisons against a wide range of criteria including durability, energy and water efficiency

Energy Star (Australia)

A useful guide which helps you address sustainability issues in the office. Includes advice on purchasing sustainable office equipment and consumables.

Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)

Official site explaining Australian Energy Efficiency ratings scheme for a variety of appliances.

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme

The WELS Scheme labels a range of products for water efficiency, helping Australian households to save water and money.

Smart Approved WaterMark

A voluntary, not-for-profit program that helps you to make an informed choice about saving water around your home, garden and pool. Products and services with the Smart Approved WaterMark label have been assessed by an independent technical expert panel.

Energy Star (US)

US EPA backed program addressing energy efficiency of common appliances, lighting systems and heating and cooling systems. Website outlines the product certification scheme as well as providing background information and purchasing tips on how to purchase the most energy efficient products.

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Interpreting environmental information

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Contains advice to consumers and industry regarding requirements for environmental claims in marketing, including a hotline for consumers to report misleading claims.

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Relevant NSW Government departments

NSW Department of Services, Technology and Administration - state procurement

Can provide advice on sustainable products available on State Government Supply contracts. Guidelines on sustainability purchasing can be downloaded from their website.

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Sustainable construction

Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

Federal Dept of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts site on sustainable buildings.

Building Designers Association of NSW

Industry association on planning to reduce construction and demolition waste

National Timber Product Stewardship Group

The National Timber Product Stewardship Group (NTPSG) is an initiative of the timber and wood products industry.

EcoSmart Foundation

A non-profit Canadian corporation which develops and manages activities and projects promoting technical solutions and innovations for a sustainable economy. EcoSmart manages a portfolio of projects such as the "EcoSmart Concrete" project, "The Sustainable Condo", "Sustainable Building Technology Cluster" and "Building Performance Evaluation".

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